nge_ngen_h-3665h-3665ngenngeyesChristian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME Church)Hatfield, Edward A.Christian Methodist Episcopal ChurchChristian Methodist Episcopal Church--Political activityAfrican American churchesChurches--United StatesAfrican Americans--ReligionAfrican American universities and collegesAfrican American universities and colleges--Georgia--AugustaUniversities and colleges--United StatesUniversities and colleges--Georgia--AugustaPaine CollegeNational Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of AmericaMethodist Church--United StatesMethodists--United StatesAfrican American MethodistsEcumenical movement--United StatesInterdenominational cooperation--United StatesChurch--UnitySocial problems--United StatesSocial justice--United StatesSocial action--United StatesPolitical participation--United StatesAfrican Americans--Politics and governmentSocial participation--United StatesCommunity life--United StatesUnited States--Politics and government--20th centuryUnited States--Social conditions--20th centuryUnited States--Race relations--History--20th centuryRace relationsNational Association for the Advancement of Colored PeopleCivil rights--United StatesCivil rights--GeorgiaAfrican Americans--Civil rightsAfrican Americans--Civil rights--GeorgiaChurch work--United StatesPolitics, Practical--United StatesTheology, Practical--United StatesHollowell, DonaldJohnson, Joseph A.Robinson, Ruby Doris Smith, 1941-1967Encyclopedia article about the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME Church), formerly the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, which is a historically African American denomination with more than 800,000 members in the United States. Formed in 1870 in Jackson, Tennessee, as a separate black denomination by the Methodist Episcopal Church South, the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was the first African American denomination established in the South. In 1956 the name change to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church not only signaled the church's repudiation of Jim Crow-era racial subordination but also highlighted a more ecumenical emphasis on religious, rather than racial, identity. Thereafter, the church became more active in the civil rights movement. Church polity and theology are consistent with other major American Methodist denominations, and the church participates in such ecumenical organizations as the National Council of Churches. The CME Church supports four colleges, including Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, and maintains missions in Ghana, Haiti, Jamaica, Liberia, and Nigeria.The Civil Rights Digital Library received support from a National Leadership Grant for Libraries awarded to the University of Georgia by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the aggregation and enhancement of partner metadata.[Athens, Ga.] : Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia PressNew Georgia Encyclopedia (Project)Georgia Humanities CouncilUniversity of Georgia. PressMerrill-Hall New MediaGALILEO (Georgia statewide project)11/8/2007Articleshttp://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-3665&sug=yForms part of the New Georgia Encyclopedia.2007-11-08United StatesSouthern StatesGeorgiaAugusta (Ga.)Richmond County (Ga.)Atlanta (Ga.)Fulton County (Ga.)If you wish to use content from the NGE site for commercial use, publication, or any purpose other than fair use as defined by law, you must request and receive written permission from the NGE. Such requests may be directed to: Permissions/NGE, University of Georgia Press, 330 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30602.Cite as: "[article name]," New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved [date]: http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org.20090702 164937